IRVING, Texas – The bye week has been anything but a slow time for new running back Rod Smith.
Claimed off waivers Wednesday, Smith took the red-eye flight from Seattle and said he arrived at Valley Ranch about an hour before team meetings on Thursday morning. Then he suited up for his first Cowboys practice wearing No. 45.
"This is my home now," Smith said, "so I'm just ready to work."
Including Smith, the Cowboys once again have four running backs on their 53-man roster along with fullback Tyler Clutts.
Carries appear scarce with Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Christine Michael already in the rotation, but the Cowboys like Smith's ability as a runner as well as on special teams, which would help his chances of being active on game days.
"He's a guy that we saw on tape who we like," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He's a big kid, he's athletic, he's done some good things for them (Seattle) in the preseason. He's someone we just want to bring in here and get into the mix."
Michael also has made the adjustment from Dallas to Seattle, having arrived in a trade after preseason.
"I know C-Mike's been out here since after preseason and it seems like he's got a good understanding of things," Smith said. "When I was in Seattle he was one of the dudes that helped me out and mentored me a lot. I'm just going to try to feed off him and the older guys."
